It's Nick Foles' turn to start as Eagles quarterback. Michael Vick started the preseason opener and even though Foles took more snaps it was Vick's opening drive that served as the first punch in the quarterback competition.

Entering the second preseason game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field Foles will get the first chance to make a statement.

The two quarterbacks will split snaps and likely play through the second quarter. Vick's performance last week raised the stakes in the competition. So is it up to Foles to respond?

"No. I just need to go out there and play" Foles said. "It's the same way I've approached it."

After being in Philadelphia for just more than one year that answer is typical of Foles. He's not one for a bully pulpit and elects often to remain understated.

But Foles is a competitive person and time is running out for the quarterbacks to dramatically alter the competition. The second and third preseason games are the biggest tests remaining and both quarterbacks must avoid mistakes and injuries.

Foles' preseason debut on Friday against the Patriots was shaky when he fumbled the ball after the pocket collapsed on his first play. He cannot afford to turn over the ball especially after totaling more turnovers than touchdowns in 2012. Foles emphasized that he knows what he did wrong - he must take the sack or throw the ball away sooner - and that playing quarterback requires a "short memory."

Right after the turnover Foles led a 10-play 66-yard scoring drive during which he effectively executed the fast-paced no-huddle offense that is key to coach Chip Kelly's scheme. It was a drive that revealed that Foles can run a Kelly offense. He made sound decisions quickly went through his progressions and even scrambled for 10 yards. "That's what we want to model everything after" Foles said. "The tempo. That's what we want to do."